House of the Dragon promised all-out conflict between the two Targaryen factions, and so far, season 2 marketing has delivered — literally — with trailers showcasing the dueling branches of the family facing off.
Both begin with a rallying cry for their one true king and a firm belief in their genuine claim to the throne: Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) on the Black side and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) on the Green side. But the stories diverge from there.
Although both teasers feature the opposing house, HBO was ingenious in varying the shots of the Targaryens going about their business.
It may all be the typical quick cuts and furrowed brows of any traditional teaser, but we're finally getting a better look at where these unhappy people are (even if it's difficult to predict which notable book events will be featured;
we still don't know who Daemon was singing to at the end of season 1).But here is what we know: Rhaenyra and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) continue to feel deeply wounded by the other.
Corlys (Steve Toussaint) warns that the Hightowers are advancing, but Otto (Rhys Ifans) defends his grandson's claim to be king. Daemon (Matt Smith) threatens to burn down a house for refusing to bow to Rhaenyra,
whilst Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) relishes the opportunity to confront his uncle because he is a little freak who thrives on drama.
One thing is evident from these trailers: season 1's time leaps are gone. We will experience the agony of the Dance of Dragons in real time (or close to it; it is still television).